NOME, ALASKA — Nome Public Schools has canceled the JROTC program at Nome-Beltz Junior and Senior High School, starting next year.
Superintendent Shawn Arnold said the school district has not been able to fund the program on its own for some time. Over the last five years, donations have kept JROTC afloat. Most of that money came from Sitnasuak Native Corporation.
But Arnold said the district can’t sustain the program any longer, especially as they expect cuts in education funding from the state legislature.
“It’s not an easy decision, and it’s not something that’s good for students,” he said. “But as we’re looking at further cuts, this is one of first of possibly many to come.”
Arnold said the end of JROTC has been a long time coming as insurance and instructor salaries continue to rise. The program costs more than 240-thousand dollars a year.
Saving that money will keep the district from dipping into its reserve funds. But Arnold said he’s not yet sure what will happen to the two JROTC staff members.
“We’re trying to work with those instructors and see if we can find a placement for them within the district,” he said. “If not, we’re just going to support them as best as we can.”
Arnold said the district is also looking to support thirty students currently enrolled in JROTC.
“For next year, we’re looking at filling the gap or the holes left in the schedules from them not being able to take it,” he said. “We’re looking at innovative solutions — offering some additional courses and some creative scheduling — to fill that void.”
Since November, Nome Public Schools has been considering adopting an unconventional schedule at Nome-Beltz next year. The new schedule would give students a few weeks to focus on electives after longer periods centered on core classes. Arnold said he hopes these electives — in subjects like art, shop, and subsistence skills — will fill the gap when JROTC ends.
Still, the school board is considering other cuts as they continue to work on the FY17 budget. Arnold said the district may try to save money by reducing supply costs, travel expenses for staff and students, and the number of teachers.
